Storytime

The good people at WECAN are very much to be congratulated - they have produced what is, in my opinion, the finest collection of stories for young children ever published in English (maybe in any language, but others will have to judge that). Tell Me a Story brings together in one volume over 80 stories told and loved in Waldorf kindergartens throughout North America, and as such really offers a resource that can last throughout a lifetime.

Wherever there are children, the cry of "Tell me a story . . ." is heard, and in Waldorf education, storytelling is an integral (and often favorite) part of each day. Stories connect us to one another, give us a sense of who we are, and can help to guide us into the future. Tell Me a Story is filled with treasures for all ages and all occasions. Whether you are a teacher, parent, grandparent, caregiver, or just a lover of good stories, you will find inspiration and nourishment in these pages.

For the Children of the World

Stories and Recipes from the Internatinoal Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education

* * * Temporarily out of stock. More on the way!! * * *If you order this item it will be shipped in 1-2 weeks.

Here is a joyous collection of folktales from around the world, retold from the heart for young children. In addition to some of the best stories the world's people have to offer, an extra treat is the recipes from many of the cultures that contributed to this rich and wonderful book. Each recipe was clear chosen to be tasty and wholesome for young children, as well as being simple enough to make while tending our little ones. Altogether, this is a vibrant collection that evokes love and wonder. I can't recommend it highly enough.

A Donsy of Gnomes is just one of the dearest books ever. The wee folk who live in it will become fast friends with all the young children who get to meet them. And, these charming natural/magical little people come bringing gifts ~ in the most delightful ways possible they teach wee lessons, happily and by example, in generosity, selflessness, resourcefulness, courage and friendship.

This is just a perfect little book for young children. Take your child on a charming and jaunty journey though the worlds of the gnomes. It's just the thing for sweet dreams at night or a pause in the midst of a busy day. I predict that this will be one of the books that will remain alive in your children's hearts long after they have grown and have children of their own.

Susan Perrow has developed the art of pedagogical stories to a luminescent degree. In her beautiful book she offers dozens of stories, some her own, some traditional and retold by her. Each story carries with it the seed of healing for just about any childhood problem, from unruly behavior to deep grieving. Her voice is one of warmth and caring, her stories are richly engaging to young and old alike.

Having her book at hand is like having a medicine chest filled with homeopathic remedies for all conditions - and, like homeopathy, Susan's stories are guaranteed to produce no unwanted side effects.

Healing Stories includes chapters on creating stories and on the art of storytelling, as well as stories selected for their ability to heal. This is a resource that is so vast in its usefulness that we predict it will become one of the most sought after parent/teacher resources ever printed.

Susan Perrow passionately believes that "stories know the way." Working with imaginative journeys and the mystery and magic of metaphor, she has developed the art of therapeutic storytelling for challenging behavior in children and difficult situations. She offers a tried-and-tested method for creating a unique story for a child to help resolve issues and build emotional resilience and character.

This treasury of 101 new healing stories address a range of issues – from unruly behavior to grieving, anxiety, lack of confidence, bullying, teasing, nightmares, intolerance, inappropriate talk, toileting, bed-wetting and much more. The stories also have the potential for nurturing positive values.

Create your own therapeutic stories, using handy tips, exercises and methods such as the "metaphor, journey, and resolution framework."

Therapeutic Storytelling includes suitable behavior stories for children aged 3 to 10 years old;

how to use of healing stories for global and national challenging situations;

Invite yourself and every child you know or teach into a playful world that delights at every turn! Making Peg Dolls joyously shows how to easily make simple, lovable toys for children that can also be used as table puppets for storytelling. These little Waldorf-inspired dolls are so engaging that all of us here wanted drop everything so that we could make peg dolls and play with them.

Truly, there are worlds to be created for children (and by children age 10 and over!), just waiting for you between the pages of this wonderful book. You can see for yourself by watching this video that is just too sweet not to share:

You will find complete patterns for creating bluebirds and butterflies, flowers and fairytale figures, gnomes, winter angels, and more!

Included are:

Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for children and crafters of all levels and experience

Beautiful color illustrations and photos

A range of over 60 designs and patterns for peg dolls

Ideas for peg dolls as gifts and toys, for seasonal nature tables or fairs

What a treat this little book is! Brunhild Müller shows parents and teachers how to create their own books with moving figures, the sort of book children delight in and Rudolf Steiner said were among the books that most captivated him when he was a child.

Making Picture Books with Movable Figures

The joy felt by a child that someone he/she loves has created a book just for him or her cannot be overstated. My most treasured possession from my own childhood is a simple little book bound in a report folder and written and illustrated on typing paper. My mother wrote and illustrated it for me: a sweet story about me and all my stuffed animal friends. To me, it is beautiful beyond belief - and is the sort of book you can create using Brunhild's dear little book. Her instructions are clear and easy to follow, her ideas for stories are inspiring, and the book is complete with full color examples of real pages created in this way.

Dvinka Hayda's birthday story is so beautiful and true that it brought tears to my eyes when first I read it. Out of her many years as a Waldorf kindergarten teacher, she has added elements to her story that I have never encountered anywhere else, and that serve to encircle the child whose birthday it is with the warm, glowing love of Heave and Earth.

Her story begins as Little Angel and Great Angel journey together toward Earth. On the way, they discover many things and Little Angel sees the Earth from cloud-filled distances, watching it and loving it more each day, learning that the Earth would be Little Angel's new home.

The day comes when Little Angel and Great Angel walk together to take Little Angel to Earth. Great Angel takes Little Angel to Radiant Sun and Silvery Moon, who have gifts that are just for Little Angel.

Down the Rainbow Bridge and into the hearts and home of Little Angel's parents they go. But Great Angel returns to Heaven, taking Little Angel's wings for safekeeping until all Little Angel's good deeds on Earth are accomplished, and Little Angel returns to use them again.

And it is this last facet which is such a poignant joy to see - that we enter the world with good deeds to do, and when they are done we shall return to Great Angel and the wings we left behind.

Any child enfolded in this tale will carry a seed of comfort, confidence and courage that will grow into an adult strength of purpose and love. My hope is that this story goes out into the world, and that for each adult who learns it, children ten-fold hear it; and for each child who hears it told to him/her, that child's confidence of life is shared with ten who have not had it told to them. May this seed become a great tree with many, many healthy, beautiful branches.

This is just such a charming, happy book! Maija Baric' opens up the world of puppetry to young children and adults in ways that will make you smile and will lead you and your children on and on into the worlds you can create on a tabletop. Her puppet "recipes" range from those that are so simple a kindergarten child can make them to puppets that will require a kindly adult to bring them to life. Likewise, the staging: from the very simplest intended for the children to create themselves , to more complex stages for adults to use for the children's enjoyment.

I love the way all the instructions are illustrated with colorful drawings which somehow all manage to evoke warmth and love. Maija Baric's instructions follow the drawings to their conclusion as storybook characters and more, and are peppered with good advice all along the way.

Altogether a wonderful book for families, teachers and adults with exuberant inner children!

A Lifetime of Joy

Bronja Zahlingen

A collection of circle games, finger games, songs, verses, and plays for puppets and marionettes

A Lifetime of Joy is a rare and wonderful tribute to Bronja Zahlingen's (1/8/1912 to 1/24/2000) life's work; in return, it is a gift from Bronja to all the children and adults whose lives it will touch and nurture. Just to look through it's pages is to feel the warmth, wisdom and love that every child in her kindergarten felt for so very many beautiful years.

Included in this volume are all the plays from her sparkling Plays for Puppets and Marionettes -- and much, much more. There are songs, wee stories for the seasons and other times, nature tales, circle games, verses. In addition, there is a touching account of Bronja's life and work, and articles for teachers and parents. The two articles, "On Movement, Gesture and Language in the Life of the Young Child" and "The Pedagogical Value of Marionette and Table Puppet Shows for the Small Child" are welcome additions to everyone's understanding. Even the photo on the cover speaks volumes about the wealth we can present to children through simple stories told with marionettes.

Hanky-Panky is a never ending source of laughter and delight disguised as an unassuming booklet of ideas. Inside you will find a white handkerchief, just like my own father carried every day, and page after page of instructions for transforming it into the most delightful toys ever. From Twins in a Hammock to a wriggling Mouse to Rabbits and Ballerinas -- the joy just never stops. All you need is a handkerchief and a small child for one of the sweetest ways to celebrate life.

Morning, Evening, Birthdays, Fairytales! The changing times and things of wonder that make the world go round! In this volume of treasured songs, poems and stories from Waldorf kindergartens around the world, you will find:

An outstanding essay on the value of music in a young child's life

31 poems for morning, evening, birthdays and fairy tales

40 songs about morning, evening, birthdays and fairy tales - with music

Celebrate the animals, the carpenters, the trees and mother making pancakes! Spindrift is a rich and wonderful celebration of daily life. In this volume of treasured songs, poems and stories from Waldorf kindergartens around the world, you will find:

Magic Wool unveils the secrets of captivating children with feltboard pictures "painted" with colored unspun fleece. There is nothing more magical to a child than to see a story spring to life as a parent or teacher "draws" it in wool during the telling. Because of the texture and nature of the fleece, these pictures invite the young child to enter the activity of the scene - it springs to life in their imagination. You'll love it, too!

Also include are instructions for making figures from fleece to grace your nature table or for your young ones to play with.